Congressional Districts Election Comments

Many of you have emailed me regarding the congressional districts and what do I offer in the 43rd of San Bernardino and the 44th of Riverside. I was holding back because of some interesting information I needed to clarify about various candidates.

In the 44th we have incumbent Ken Calvert (R), and we know that his party has “Pledged to America” to repeal every
thing that the Obama Administration has signed into law. Even though I have not heard or read what Calvert personally thinks of the Republican Party Pledge but its flies in the face of what I would want. Now when it comes to what Calvert has done personally with and for us as a representative, he has responded with a pleasing yes, which is what a representative should do. However, that does not address his standing with the republicans to repeal health care and other things needed to help our people.

Now his challenger, Bill Hedrick (D), is a capable person and would hopefully carry the Democratic Party banner of inclusion. However, in his previous position as head of the Rialto Teachers Association, he led the fight to remove all Blacks from the school board. This is a district where 20% of the students are Black. Two years ago, Walter Hawkins was targeted and this year, they have targeted Joanne Gilbert, the only Black female serving on the board. That is why I used the words earlier “would hopefully” carry the national party banner of inclusion but he also touts an Independent streak as a badge of honor. I am sure he never thought what happens in Rialto would leave Rialto or come up in an election in Riverside.

In the 43rd District, we have hardworking Joe Baca who has an image problem of working hard only for his people who are not Americans yet. I have nothing against that because I have people in the family that were not legal citizens at one time. Another image with Joe is he has a hard time keeping Blacks on his staff, plus he has a very close relationship with Gil Navarro, someone who does not advocate for students other than his own and is currently causing trouble for Esther Estrada, Casa Ramona Academy for Technology and Community Education Charter School. Now one thing we can count on is Joe will support the national democratic agenda even if it is a little late sometimes in my opinion. These are a few of the things hard working Joe is going to have to overcome if he wants the loyalty and affection of the people as they gave the late Congressman George Brown.

This is part of the rationale in my delay on making any recommendations for these two districts. While I am leaning to my national democratic party for policies of inclusion and protection, these individuals leave a lot to be desired for my people on the local level. When you think of the double digit unemployment rate, low academic achievement gap, high dropout rate, high home foreclosures of Blacks, locally you want representatives you think that care. When you hear of the health care indicator disparities: the highest number of people of color that are uninsured for health care at 50%, twice as likely to have diabetes, 67% more likely to die when diagnosed with breast cancer, 83,000 deaths each year are attributable to racial identified health disparities, it begs to wonder why the Republicans have pledged to repeal Obama’s health care plan if they take over congress.

It points out that the local Black community has to develop an agenda that they present to all candidates as a “Pledge to the district Blacks” of things we need and want as taxpayers in public policy. I am going to ask my staff to communicate with these candidates to seek clarification on their personal positions before I put a check besides their name.

The Hand Writing is on the wall Penman

If you have been following the action around the charter change issue of Measure C, it is clear to me that it is in motion to be passed by the voters in November. It does not mean that there is not a lot of hardwork ahead for its supporters however, the handwriting on the wall is the opposition, thank God, keeps getting knocked down. I warned Penman not to mess with God’s anointed ones, especially Pastor Raymond Turner. The Black clergy association and their members have found their collective voice in support of him and the faith community Even though Measure C is not about Jim Penman or Wendy McCammack, they are the lead spokespersons at city hall council meetings when related topics come up. At Mondays meeting, they lost a vote (5-2) to have Penman’s undercover detectives provide security services at council meetings instead of uniform police officers. I agree with the council and police chief, it is better to have uniform officers do the job.

At a previous meeting, Penman and McCammack had to admit and agree that Bishop Philip Powell, President of IECAAC was right in saying there was duplication of services on Penman’s staff. Penman lost his court challenge to have all county voter guide language relating to budget savings thrown out when Measure C passes. I also noticed at the last meeting one of Penman’s staunch supporters did not mention anything about Rosa Parks or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his presentation.

Yes, just like the Handwriting on the Wall in the book of Daniels 5:25-28, Measure C is destined to pass. Vote Yes on Measure C.

Yes on Measure C in San Bernardino City

Measure C in San Bernardino is asking the voters to approve a charter change to have the city attorney, city clerk and city treasurer positions be appointed by the mayor and council. The citizen committee that initiated Measure C states that this will save the city millions of dollars while adding a more professional image to these office holders in the future. Those in opposition have failed to prove them
wrong even after taking Rev. Raymond Turner and some members to court.

Let me say that City Clerk, Rachel Clark and Treasurer David Kennedy, are great professionals who have served the city very well and they recognize the possibility of the public electing non-professionals to these positions. To them we owe a debt of gratitude. We also recognize that all persons who possess a law degree do not possess the necessary qualifications to hold the position of city attorney.

To my surprise last week, Council member Wendy McCammack and City Attorney Jim Penman, agreed with Bishop Philip Powell, President of the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches and supporters of Measure C that there is duplication of services in the city attorney’s office with detectives and code enforcement employees on his staff.

However, there are some citizens, whose names I will not use, who get on television and write letters that residents will lose their voting rights if they vote in support of Measure C. These citizens tout themselves as being knowledgeable of Black history by citing the name of Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. including the Voting Civil Rights Act signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Nevermind that they have never lifted one finger, spoke one word or took one step in the name of justice on behalf of Blacks or any other group. I did not see them standing in line to greet the “Mother of Civil Rights” to say thank you for not moving out of your seat on the bus, when she came to San Bernardino. Nor did I see them contribute one dime for the erection of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue that now stands in front of the San Bernardino and Riverside City Hall respectively.

Let me reiterate that you will not lose your constitutional voting rights but you will gain a more efficient and professional legal arm to the city that will give sound legal advice to a council that needs it badly, instead of a self serving history lesson in manipulation politics.

So let us stop the duplication of services, unnecessary history lessons, and intimidation of our faith community and clergy by the legal arm of the city and waste of taxpayers’ money by voting YES on Measure C.

Black Voice News Voters Guide Recommendations for November

Last week, I put forth a partial listing of our endorsements for office. This week we have updated that while leaving some vacant at this time. For example the governor’s position is remaining vacant because I believe Meg Whitman is afraid of the Black community and Jerry Brown is taking us for granted. They are spending millions to convince White voters but nothing to convince Blacks or Hispanics. In the latest poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports of “Likely Voters” 24% of the “initial” Black voters said they were in favor of Whitman and 68% for Brown. Of those surveyed who have not decided, 73% said they are “leaning” toward Brown and 24% toward Whitman.

While it appears as though Brown might get a majority of the vote, the vote might be down because of no outreach to motivate the Black voters. If Whitman was to outreach into the Black community, she might increase her percentage as Arnold Schwzennegar did in his re-election in 2006. The Black community is more independent and the younger population more likely to vote for the person instead of the party line. These Black voters are standing by waiting to see who wants their vote. The Black community is hurting with double digit (16%) unemployment, low performing schools, and inaccessible healthcare services. The last week church hopping and interrupting church services campaign strategy will not work any more. So my verdict is still out on which one is willing to address our specific needs as citizens of California.

If you noticed, Republican Abel Maldonado is recommended for Lieutenant Governor. That is because last year when Karen Bass, Speaker of the Assembly, needed one more vote to pass the budget, he broke with his party to support the Democrats. He risked his political career to help the state so he deserves our vote. He is not about party line politics, in my opinion, but what is best for the State of California.